New Hiring Tool Assesses Candidates Character

Trilogy Venture Search, a recruitment firm headquartered in Californias Silicon Valley, has developed the Trilogy Character Screen-a hiring tool designed to help companies assess a candidates level of character as well as his/her fit with a client company.

(PRWEB) July 12, 2004 -- Trilogy Venture Search, a recruitment firm headquartered in Californias Silicon Valley, has developed the Trilogy Character Screen-a hiring tool designed to help companies assess a candidates level of character as well as his/her fit with a client company.

Chuck Pappalardo, Trilogys managing director, comments, We need to rethink the qualities that define great leaders and how we go about finding them. Without carefully probing beneath the surface, companies risk hiring and rewarding leaders lacking in character-the same types of executives that have led the parade of corporate scandals."

Pappalardo notes that hiring for capability is pretty clear-cut-evaluate credentials, knowledge, and skills-but hiring for character is anything but straightforward. In constructing the Trilogy Character Screen, Pappalardo worked with a corporate ethicist to devise three general categories of behavior that define character-integrity, inspiring others, and humility. Then, a series of open-ended questions were developed to explore these behaviors and provide insight into a candidates thinking.

In addition to crafting good questions, Pappalardo says that its critical to have a deep understanding of the qualities youre seeking or avoiding: For example, to evaluate integrity, its important to understand how a candidate handles challenging situations. One question Pappalardo likes to ask: Tell me about a time when you had to exercise judgment in filtering information -- to employees, shareholders, the board or the public. [The top 10 questions to ask are below.

Pappalardo adds that its equally important for the hiring company to conduct its own internal character assessment, explaining, Top management needs to continually discuss character-related issues and evaluate corporate practices. Specific policies need to be in place to support and encourage doing the right thing."

Trilogy Character Screen
developed by Chuck Pappalardo, managing director, Trilogy Venture Search

It goes without saying that a true measure of ones character is evidenced by ones actions. And that is the philosophy behind the Trilogy Character Screen. Below are the top 10 questions-and some context for the questions-designed to elicit evidence" of character. We believe character can be measured by three general categories, integrity, inspiring others, and humility, and we have organized the questions accordingly.

Integrity
What to listen for:
·Candidates intellectual process/motivations when faced with challenging circumstances
·Self motivation vs company/team motivation
·Candidates sense of right and wrong

Questions:
1.Describe a time when you observed an ethical breach. FOLLOW-ONs: Tell me more about that. What was the final outcome of that event? Who was the major actor in that outcome? What role, if any, did you play in that outcome?
2.Tell me about a time when you had to enforce a board decision/ policy that you thoroughly disagreed with.
3.Tell me about a time when you had to do something for the company that was at odds with the best interests of the employees.
4.Tell me about a time when you had to exercise judgment in filtering information -- to employees, shareholders, the board or the public.

Inspiring Others
What to listen for:
·How the candidate builds and relates to teams
·Whether or not the person is a consensus builder or a decision maker
·Evidence of emotional maturity

Questions:
5.Tell me about a time when you crafted a process or methodology to create a new result.
6.Tell me about a time when you encountered a breakdown of teamwork in one of your departments/divisions/projects, and how you dealt with that situation.
7.Tell me about a time when you had to coach more than teach

Humility
What to listen for:
·Candidates level of self-awareness
·Evidence of having developed honor

Questions:
8.In business, what creates stress for you?
9.What is the biggest misperception about you?
10.What would your direct reports say about you?

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